Clip



P. BRADY Dec. 18, 1956 CLIP Filed Aug. l2, 1955 FIG.5

FIG.4

PH I L l P BRADY INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY FIGS FIG!

United States later CLIP Philip Brady, Dedham, Mass. Application August 12, 195s, serial No. 527,939

s claims. (ci. 24-66) This invention relates in general to a clip, and is. more particularly concerned with an improved combination of a spring clip, generally known as a paper cllp, with a folded strip of sheet material so as to enhance the utility l of the spring clip.

The ordinary paper clip is widely used and its utility is well-known, but there are cases where its use is objectionable. For example, in the clipping together of copy material and photographs for transmittal to a printer, the ordinary spring clip often produces an impression in, or bending of, the photograph which frequently shows up in the reproduction. lt is an object of the present invention to provide a spring clip with a covering which presents a smooth inside surface so that the clip cannot cause damage to the material which it binds together.

Otherobjects of the invention are to provide an enlarged friction contact with the plane surface and a wide contact with the edge of papers, or papers and photographs, to bind them securely and to prevent sidelong slipping of the clip relative to the papers; and to provide an unobstructed surface for printing or lettering to identify or classify the papers held by the clip, or to advertise the products and/ or services of the user of the clip.

With the foregoing objects in view, the invention is featured by the combination of a spring clip with a single piece of foldable material, such as paper, of sufficient stiness to prevent the spring clip making an impression therethrough, the nature of the folds of the material and the insertion of the spring clip therein being such as provide smooth inside surfaces for the clip, and two unobstructed outside surfaces of suicient area for lettering or advertising.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank of foldable material used in the combination;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank of Fig. l, partially folded, illustrating the manner lin which the blank is folded;

Fig. 3-is a perspective view of a spring clip of the type known as a paper clip,

Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views of the combined article, illustrating the back and front, respectively; and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the clip taken along line 66 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the draw-ings, the device consists essentially of a single piece of foldable, relatively exible material 19 which is folded and combined withV spring clip means 25 to provide a clip of the form best shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The foldable material, preferably paper of sufficient stiffness to preclude a spring clip making an impression therethrough yet readily foldable, is formed in blanks of the shape down in Fig. 1; i. e., an elongated strip considerably Wider than its length. The strip 10 is divided into ve panels 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 by transverse fold lines 16, 17, 18 and 19, which lines are preferably scored to facilitate folding. Panels 11 and 12 are of substantially equal length, as are panels 13 and 14, with panel 15 being somewhat shorter. Panel 15 may be made longer than illustrated, however, if desired, the only requirement being that it be shorter than panels 11 and 12. The strip 10 is provided with an aperture 20, preferably of circular shape, at the fold line 17 and disposed equidistantly from the edgesf the strip. Another aperture or slit 21 is cut in panel 15, near the end of strip 10, this slit being of sucient width to receive the larger rounded end 26 of the spring clip 25 (Fig. 3). The Strip may be reduced in width at fold line 18, as shown, and while this feature does not alect the overall utility of the clip, it improves its appearance.

Referring now to Fig. 2, in the fabrication of the clip of the invention, the blank 10 of Fig. 1 is folded on its fold lines such that the resultant overall length is equal to the length of panel 12. In particular, panel 15 is folded up along fold line 19 toward panel 14, and panel 14 then folded down along fold line 18 against the underside of panel 13, and panel 13, in turn, is folded down along fold line 17. After this series of folds, then, fold line 19 is substantially coincident with fold line 17, with panels 13 and 14 back-to-back and panel 15 adjacent the inner surface of panel 12. Panel 11 is then folded up along fold line 16 and the free end thereof inserted into the fold between panels 14 and 15. The folded blank is then compressed such that a bend exists at each fold line with the consequence that panel 13 is contiguous with panel 14, one surface of panel 15 is contiguous with the inner surface of panel 12, and the other surface of panel 15 is contiguous with one surface of panel 11.

With the blank folded in the foregoing manner, the spring clip 25 is inserted through aperture 20 with the shorter leg thereof having rounded end 2S extending between panels 13 and 14 and the longer leg having rounded end 26 extending between panels 12 and 15. During the insertion of the clip, rounded end 29 is inserted through slit 21 in panel 15, and the clip pushed in until the rounded end 27 engages fold lines 19 between panels 14 and 15.

The assembled clip is shown in plan view in Figs. 4 and 5, and the disposition of the spring clip relative to the several panels of the folded blank can be seen in the somewhat exaggerated cross-sectional view of Fig. 6. It will be seen that the shorter end 28 of the spring clip is covered on both sides by panels 13 and 14, and that the longer end 26 is entirely covered by panels 11 and 12. The contiguous surfaces of panels 11 and 14 present smooth inside surfaces, between which the papers or photographs are to be bound, such that the spring clip cannot contact the material held by the clip.

It will be noted in Figs. 4 and 5, that in addition to the spring clip being completely protected on the inside surfaces, itis also covered on the outside, the outside panels 12 and 13 providing ample space for advertising material or classification data.

ln addition to the modification suggested above of making panel 15 longer than illustrated, the aperture 21 may be omitted from panel 15 and still provide a clip of comparable utility. The function of the aperture 21 is to prevent sidewise slipping of spring clip 25 relative to the folded strip, particularly when the clip is used to clip together a thick sheaf of papers. It will be apparent, however, that when the clip is not opened unduly, the frictional contact about the rounded ends 26 and 28 of the clip with panels 14 and 15 will prevent sidewise slipping.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that there is provided a clip having a large area of Contact with the plane surface of papers and a relatively wide margin contact with the edges for holding the same securely. The clip completely protects the spring clip from contact with the material clipped therebetween, and the outside surfaces provide unobstructed areas for printing or writing. Y

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be'apparent that various modifications can be'made therein without departing 'from the spirit thereof, and it is, therefore in.-

V,tended that the invention be limited only'as such limita- Ytion'occurs :in the appended Claims.

lWhat is claimed is: 1

V1. A clip co-mprising in combinatioma single'strip of relatively flexible foldable material divided into first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels by'rst, second,

Vthird'and 'fourth transverse foldv lines and having an aperfourth panels and frictionally engaging said fourth panel andthe other legV extending between said secondY and fifth panels and frictionally engaging said fifth panel, whereby the clip is adapted to receive material to be bound between said first and said fourth panels.

2. A clip comprising, in combination, a single elongated rectangular strip of relatively flexible foldable material divided into first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels by first, second, Ythird and fourth transverse fold Y Y lines and having an aperture at said second fold line, said first andsecond panels being of equal length, said third and fourth panels being of equal length, and said fifth 'n panel being shorter than said firstrand second panels, said strip being folded at said fold lines with substantially 180 folds in directions such that said third and fourth panels are contiguous with each other, that said second and fifth panels are contiguous with eachV other,`and said first panel lies between said fourth and Vfifth panels, and a spring clip having two legs with rounded ends arranged through said aperture with one leg Vextending between said third and fourth panels and frictionally engaging said fourth panel and the other leg extending between said second and fifth panels and frictionally engaging said fifth panel, whereby the clip-is adapted to receive material to be clipped between said rst and fourth panels.

3. A clip in accordance with claim 2 wherein said fth panelisprovided with a transverse slit of a width to receive the rounded end of said otherleg of'sraidv spring clip for preventing sidewise slipping of said spring clip.

4.'A clip comprising, in combination, a single elongated strip of'relatively liexible foldable material of suflicient stiffness to resist deformationdivided into first, sec-V ond, third, fourth and fifth panels by rst, second, third Y andfourth transverse'fold lines and having a circular aperture at said second fold line and a transverse slit inV Y Y said fifth panel, said first and second panels being of equal length, said third andV fourth panels being of equal length shorter than said first and second panels, and said fthY panel being shorter than saidfirst and second panels, said stripbeing folded at said fold lines with substantially 180 folds in directions such that said third and fourth panels are contiguous with each other, said second'and fifth panels are contiguous with Yeach-other andrsaid yrstpanel Y lies between said fourth fand fifth panels with said second fold line substantially lcoincident with said fourth fold line, and a spring clip having two legs with rounded ends arranged through said aperture withlone leg extending( between said third and fourth panels Yand frictionally en-V gaging said fourth panel and the other le/gextending be-V tween saidsec'ondand fifth panels and through saidslit in said'fifth panel and frictionally engaging said'fth and Y said first panels, whereby said spring` clip -is completely i covered by said panels and the clip adapted vto kreceive material tobe clipped between said first and fourthrpanels.

5. An article-of manufacture comprising, an elongated Y said third and fourthV panels are contiguous Vwith each other, that said second and fifth panels are contiguous with each other, and said first panel'lies between Vsaid fourth and fifth panels, said strip when so folded being adapted to receive through said aperture a spring clip having two legs with one leg extending between said third and fourth panels and frictionally engaging said Vfourth panel and the other leg extending between said second and fifth panels andV frictionally engaging said fifth panel, whereby fiat material inserted betweensaid first and fourth panels is fiictionally engaged and protected from said spring clip,

and said second and third panels provide anrunobstructed area for printing andthe like.

References Cited in the file of this Ypatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 644,541 Smith Feb; 27, 19040 851,138 OBrienk Apr. 213, 1907 Y 1,054,927 Marsh Mar. 4, 1913 2,197,738

Balthasar Apr. 16, 1940 

